Readers React: Why couldn’t LAUSD and Jefferson High schedule classes by hand?

To the editor: As a recently retired assistant superintendent of an L.A.-area school district, I am horrified at the abdication of responsibility by every single adult entrusted with the education of the students at Jefferson High School — from the faculty, to the administrators, to the teachers’ union. (“Deasy’s inaction on Jefferson High fiasco is shocking,” Oct. 10)

Why didn’t an ad hoc committee roll into that high school and begin the process of hand scheduling those students into classes? Granted, this would be a laborious undertaking, but this is a problem that could have been, and should have been, solved within a matter of days.

Yet again the powers that be sat on the sidelines and pointed fingers. These kids get one chance at an education, and the people entrusted with that sacred responsibility prioritized their own grudges over fulfilling their mission.

Shame on all of them. And shame on them for tainting all educators’ reputations by these petty displays of self-indulgent histrionics.

Janice Hickey, Vancouver, Wash.

..

To the editor: Where were the teachers and administrators who immediately saw the problems at Jefferson High but made no effort to fix the scheduling problems?

Prior to computers, classes were scheduled by hand based on the needs of the students. It is difficult to believe that no one is left at any of these schools who remembers how to schedule. If that is the case, then please use some common sense and reinvent the wheel.

Even at the elementary school level, with a population of more than 1,600 students, we could create classes by meeting as a grade level and matching each student by ability, personality and need to their placement. Scheduling is even more important for high school students, who rely on their teachers and administrators to get them the classes that will ensure their entry into higher education.

Yet again, we are letting down the students. Why is any school standing back and waiting for someone else to solve this problem?

Diane Maddox, Van Nuys

The writer is a retired LAUSD assistant principal.

..

To the editor: I’m a little too old for school (70), but just how long is the LAUSD going to ignore the smell coming from the death of a few bad ideas by Deasy?

Why hasn’t the district cut its losses and let Deasy go?

Vince Watson, Hollywood

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion